Prospect members 'despondent' ahead of new ballot

Public services can't continue to accept 'meaningless pay awards' says Union

The Prospect Union's Negotiating Officer, Mick Hewer, says workers across the Island's public services can't continue to accept pay awards which, after the effects of inflation, are meaningless.

He was talking ahead of a consultative ballot of the union's membership to ascertain what form of action they would be prepared to take following rejection of the latest five per cent pay offer.

Mr Hewer claims members' pay has steadily declined in real terms whilst their terms and conditions of employment have been seriously eroded:

Meanwhile, a ballot of Unite Union members closes on 1 June. If, as the union predicts, the five per cent award is rejected, they would mirror Prospect and move to a consultative ballot to assess support for industrial action.